Question 1

Approximately 15% of all languages have more than one million speakers, while about five languages account for most of the communication on the planet.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

In low-context cultures such as Germany, the United States, and Japan people tend to rely on written communication because that medium allows for a permanent and explicit record of a message, so face-to-face communications are not needed.

Accepted Answer

Japan is considered a high-context culture where communication is more indirect and relies heavily on non-verbal cues, unlike Germany and the United States which are low-context cultures favoring direct and explicit communication.

Question 3

Sometimes specific actions and the cultural context surrounding communication affect its actual meaning.

Accepted Answer

The meaning of communication can be significantly influenced by cultural context and specific actions, as these elements provide additional information and nuances that shape the interpretation of the message being conveyed.

Question 4

There are many subtleties, not often understood as "communication," that can play a big role in cross-border interaction, such as a silent pause in conversation being perceived as an opportunity (or obligation) to respond by an American manager and not by a Japanese manager.

Accepted Answer

Cultural differences significantly impact communication styles and perceptions. In the example given, the silent pause in conversation is interpreted differently by American and Japanese managers due to their distinct cultural norms and communication practices. Americans might see it as a cue to speak, whereas Japanese might view it as a thoughtful pause, reflecting the importance of understanding these subtleties in cross-cultural interactions.

Question 5

What are some common cross-cultural situations in which managers who fail to adjust their communication strategies risk provoking conflict and creating misunderstandings?

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Question 6

Would high-context cultures prefer written or spoken language as a communication medium? Would the preferences of those from low-context cultures be the same?

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Question 7

What are some of the downsides for international managers to becoming fluent in a second or third language?

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Question 8

International companies should help their employees, especially managers, understand that the type of apologies and explanations provided by people are driven by culture-specific attitudes.

Accepted Answer

Different cultures have varying norms and expectations regarding apologies and explanations, affecting communication and conflict resolution in international business settings. Understanding these cultural differences can improve interpersonal relations and management effectiveness.

Question 9

Because managers recognize the importance of effective cross-cultural communication there are few significant communication issues and barriers remaining.

Accepted Answer

Despite recognizing the importance of effective cross-cultural communication, significant communication issues and barriers still exist due to differences in languages, cultural norms, non-verbal cues, and perceptions.

Question 10

Managers who do not understand the link between the type of apology and the explanation people provide risk provoking conflict and creating misunderstandings in cross-cultural situations, such as daily teamwork, and in regular interactions with employees and clients.

Accepted Answer

Different cultures have varying expectations and interpretations of apologies, including the type of apology and the explanations given. Managers lacking awareness of these cultural nuances may inadvertently escalate conflicts or misunderstandings in multicultural environments.

Question 11

Written communication, in several different forms, can provide increased message clarity because a communicator can take more time to carefully craft a letter or e-mail and it can be referred to repeatedly by the recipient.

Accepted Answer

Written communication allows for careful crafting and editing of the message before sending, and the recipient can refer back to it multiple times, which can increase clarity and understanding.

Question 12

Language competence pays dividends in international business and that is why American reliance on the English language represents a competitive disadvantage that will continue to cause problems into the future.

Accepted Answer

American businesses often rely solely on English for international transactions, which can limit their ability to engage deeply with non-English speaking markets and cultures. This reliance can hinder effective communication, cultural understanding, and ultimately, competitiveness in the global market.

Question 13

A significant advantage of knowing how cultures and countries cluster together is that it helps companies "customize" management practices and thus makes international business easier and more productive.

Accepted Answer

Understanding cultural and country clusters allows companies to tailor their management practices to better align with local norms and expectations, enhancing international business operations and productivity by fostering better communication, cooperation, and understanding.

Question 14

List three of the five recommendations made by international communication experts for becoming an effective intercultural communicator.

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Question 15

English is becoming more pervasive in international business circles in spite of being grammatically complex and being a relatively difficult "common tongue" to use in international business.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

The need for group harmony in collectivist cultures impacts how people deliver critical comments, except in the case of direct criticism, such as insults, which do not seem to be tied to culture.

Accepted Answer

In collectivist cultures, the need for group harmony often leads to indirect forms of communication, including how critical comments are delivered. This means that even direct criticism, such as insults, is influenced by cultural norms, with individuals in collectivist cultures potentially using more indirect or softened ways to express criticism to maintain harmony.

Question 17

What are three reasons simply relying on written communication rather than verbal communication is not as easy as it might first appear?

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Question 18

The single most important way that humans communicate is through spoken and written language.

Accepted Answer

Spoken and written language are the primary means through which humans convey complex ideas, emotions, and information, making them fundamental to communication.

Question 19

Communication patterns matter and are often built into the language structure itself. These patterns may act as filters that shape what we see, how we see it, and our subsequent actions.

Accepted Answer

Language shapes our perception of reality through its structure and vocabulary, influencing our thoughts, actions, and how we interpret the world around us. This concept is related to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that the language we speak affects our understanding and perception of reality.

Question 20

English is the language for international air traffic, regardless of the city of departure or arrival; it is the most common language on the Internet; and universities and academia around the world use English for research and teaching.

Accepted Answer

English is the international language of aviation, the most common language on the Internet, and widely used in academia and research worldwide for communication and publication purposes.

Quiz 3: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures